California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill late last month that was intended to encourage pet lovers to keep their animals off their laps while at the wheel. Meanwhile, a lawmaker on the opposite side of the country is pursuing a similar effort.

Current law in California prohibits people from driving with their view obstructed or if there is interference with their control of the vehicle. There is no limitation that prevents pets from roaming freely in vehicles.

The Legislature approved a bill from Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, that sought to prohibit people from driving while holding a live animal in their arms or lap – dead animals apparently would still have been permitted. Violators would have faced fines between $35 and $100.

Schwarzenegger gave no specific explanation for his decision other than to say that he was only signing bills of the “highest priority” to beat the Sept. 30 deadline.

Supporters said that keeping pets restrained in back seats will help keep them safe. If left free to roam throughout a vehicle, pets can be become “a deadly projectile” during sudden stops or crashes, they said.

Others said that pets can become a distraction that put drivers and their passengers at risk.

Opponents said that government shouldn’t dictate who can sit on drivers’ laps.

While the effort in California has been concluded, a New Hampshire state lawmaker is drafting a bill that also would prohibit driving with your pet on your lap. In addition, the plan from Rep. Richard Drisko, R-Hollis, seeks to prohibit cell phone use and text messaging while at the wheel. Headlight use during rain also would be required.

To view other legislative activities of interest for California in 2008, click here. For more information on New Hampshire, click here.

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
keith_goble@landlinemag.com